Looking at the bigger picture: new movie club

Through the Culture in Cinema Club, approved Oct. 6 at the student council meeting, students will be able to watch, analyze and discuss a variety of movies.

The club’s president, Madeline Hornbuckle, would like to screen movies with historical significance. Besides simply watching the film, she’d like the films to be considered by the club members on a deeper level.

“I want people to realize how important cinema is in our lives,” Hornbuckle said. “It really does affect how we view things and what we think about. The Day After Tomorrow was the first movie that really opened people’s eyes to global warming. And after that, there was actually a study that people were more aware about global warming.”

Following the films, Hornbuckle would like to hold a group discussion surrounding topics such as the film’s time period, impact on society and relevance today. For example, a discussion for 12 Angry Men – another film Hornbuckle would like to screen – could be based around socioeconomic classes and the legal system, she said.

“It gives students time to stop worrying about school or work or anything like that, and just sit down and watch a movie,” Brianna Leaitu, clubs coordinator for the Office of Student Life, said. “And no, it’s not just about movies – it’s about how they tie into our culture, which I think is super cool.”

Currently, she’s in the process of communicating with club members to discuss movie options, as this depends on their interests, she said.

“A lot of the movies I want to do are more racially-motivated movies that had a huge impact on society,” Hornbuckle said. “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner had the first interracial couple in a movie, which is pretty amazing.”

Hornbuckle’s ideas for screenings include Philadelphia, V for Vendetta, Jaws, The Day After Tomorrow, The Blair Witch Project, 300, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner and

Psycho.

During screenings, which will probably take place in the College Center multipurpose room, Hornbuckle would like to offer snacks as part of the experience.

The Culture in Cinema Club’s first event was the Halloween horror movie night Oct. 31. Night of the Living Dead was one of the films presented, which features a black male lead and first modern zombies, Hornbuckle said. The Black Student Union also led a discussion based around this film and it’s cultural significance. After the film, the group talked about the portrayal and death of the film’s character, Ben (Duane Jones), Hornbuckle said.

Planet 9 From Outer Space was another film shown during the event.

Though there’s been movie clubs in the past, most weren’t active or perhaps existed solely on paper, Director of Student Life Sean Cooke said.

“Sometimes all it takes is one extremely dedicated student,” Cooke said. “Sometimes it’s a whole group that’s working together. Very often, it seems like most clubs are successful due to the work of one or few very passionate students who want to see stuff happen.”

When students build friendships through these activities, or support one another through affinity groups, it makes a difference, Cooke said. He encourages students to create a club depending on their passion or interest, as money is available to finance club events.

“We will help you do everything,” Cooke said. “If I could be a student again, I would start as many clubs as I could, probably.”

For example, last year’s Live Music Appreciation Club was granted money for transportation and concert tickets.

And if the Culture in Cinema club members want to experience a drive-in movie, Hornbuckle said this would be considered. Aside from remaining on campus for screenings, a trip to the movie theater is a possibility, Hornbuckle said. A few upcoming films of interest to her include The Lego Batman Movie, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Beauty and the Beast.

“I think it’s going to be more of an event-based club than a meeting-based one,” Hornbuckle said.

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